Facile synthesis of Li3V2(Po4)3/C nano-flakes with high-rate performance as cathode material for Li-ion battery

The flake-like Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C has been successfully synthesized by rheological phase method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as template; the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C without PVA assistance has been prepared for comparison. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the two samples are well crystallized, and no impurity phases are detected. The scanning electron microscopy results reveal that there is a significant difference in morphologies between PVA-assisted sample and sample without PVA; the former shows a flake-like morphology, while the latter presents regular granular shape with some agglomeration. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal that Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ particles are coated with a uniform surface carbon layer. The lattice fringes with a spacing of 0.428 nm can be clearly seen from the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image. The PVA-assisted sample shows a discharge capacity of 120, 110, and 96 mAh g^?1 at 1 C, 20 C, and 50 C, respectively; however, the sample without PVA exhibits a lower discharge capacity. Based on the analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the lithium ion diffusion coefficients of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C and PVA-assisted Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C are 4.19?×?10^?9 and 4.99?×?10^?8 cm² s^?1, respectively. In summary, it is demonstrated that using PVA as a template can obtain flake-like morphology and significantly improve the comprehensive electrochemical performances of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode material.     

Comparative investigations of LiVPO4F/C and Li3V2(PO4)3/C synthesized in similar soft chemical route

Triclinic LiVPO₄F and monoclinic Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ are synthesized through a soft chemical process with mechanical activation assist, followed by annealing. In this process, ascorbic acid is used as reducing agent as well as carbon source. The as-prepared samples are coated with amorphous carbon. XPS analysis results show the expected valency states of ions in LiVPO₄F and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The electrochemical properties of the prepared LiVPO₄F/C and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathodes are evaluated. The as-prepared LiVPO₄F/C cathode shows an initial discharge specific capacity of 140?±?3 mAh?g^?1 at 30 mA?g^?1 in the voltage range of 3.0~4.4 V, compared with that of 138?±?3 mAh?g^?1 possessed by Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. Both samples exhibit good cycle performance at different current densities. The capacity delivered by LiVPO₄F remains 95.5 and 91.7 % of its initial discharge capacity after 50 cycles at 150 and 750 mA?g^?1, respectively, while 97.4 and 90.6 % for Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. But the rate capability of LiVPO₄F/C is not so good compared with as-prepared Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C.     

A Superior Na3V2(PO4)3‐Based Nanocomposite Enhanced by Both N‐Doped Coating Carbon and Graphene as the Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

A superior Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃‐based nanocomposite (NVP/C/rGO) has been successfully developed by a facile carbothermal reduction method using one most‐common chelator, disodium ethylenediamintetraacetate [Na₂(C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₈)], as both sodium and nitrogen‐doped carbon sources for the first time. 2D‐reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets are also employed as highly conductive additives to facilitate the electrical conductivity and limit the growth of NVP nanoparticles. When used as the cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries, the NVP/C/rGO nanocomposite exhibits the highest discharge capacity, the best high‐rate capabilities and prolonged cycling life compared to the pristine NVP and single‐carbon‐modified NVP/C. Specifically, the 0.1 C discharge capacity delivered by the NVP/C/rGO is 116.8 mAh g^?1, which is obviously higher than 106 and 112.3 mAh g^?1 for the NVP/C and pristine NVP respectively; it can still deliver a specific capacity of about 80 mAh g^?1 even at a high rate up to 30 C; and its capacity decay is as low as 0.0355 % per cycle when cycled at 0.2 C. Furthermore, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also implemented to compare the electrode kinetics of all three NVP‐based cathodes including the apparent Na diffusion coefficients and charge‐transfer resistances.     

Synthesis of Li3Ni x V2−x (PO4)3/C cathode materials and their electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries

Li₃Ni _x V_2?x (PO₄)₃/C (x?=?0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) samples have been synthesized via an improved sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the structure of the prepared samples retains monoclinic, and the single phase has not been changed with Ni doping. From the analysis of electrochemical performance, the Li₃Ni_0.04?V_1.96(PO₄)₃/C sample exhibits the best electrochemical property. It delivers a discharge capacity of 112.1 mAh?g^?1 with capacity retention of 95.2 % over 300 cycles at 10 C rate in the range of 3.0–4.8 V; cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectra testing further prove that the electrochemical reversibility and lithium ion diffusion behavior of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ have also been effectively improved through Ni doping.     

Photocurrent kinetics at the electron emission from a metal into electrolyte solution: Part II. Solutions without acceptors and solutions of N2O,NO2−, NO3−

A method of measuring the kinetics of currents arising at the electron photoemission from a metal into electrolyte solution when affected by the u.v. laser pulses for 10^?8 s at the frequency of repetitions 10–25 Hz is described. Measurements have been taken in solutions without acceptors and in those containing N₂O and NO₂^?, NO₃^? ions as electron acceptors. The rate constants of capture of the solvated electrons by N₂O ((6±1)×0⁹ mol^?1 s^?1) and NO₂^? ((4.5±1)×10⁹ mol^?1 s^?1) and the diffusion coefficients of OH-radicals ((1.0±0.3)×10^?5 cm² s^?1) and of NO ((1.2±0.3)×10^?5 cm² s^?1) are found. The oxidation rate of NO₃^2? has been shown to decrease from 40 cm s^?1 in the range of potentials ?0.55 to ?1.0 V. The rate constant of bimolecular recombination of the solvated electrons ((1.3±0.4)×10¹⁰ mol^?1 s^?1) has been found from the dependence of the emitted charge on the light intensity.     

Electrochemical performance of novel Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> glass-ceramic nanocomposites as electrodes for energy storage devices

The novel Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites were synthesized and investigated as electrodes for energy storage devices. They were fabricated by heat treatment (HT) of 37.5Li₂O–25V₂O₅–37.5P₂O₅?mol% glass at 450 °C for different times in the air. XRD, SEM, and electrochemical methods were used to study the effect of HT time on the nanostructure and electrochemical performance for Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites electrodes. XRD patterns showed forming Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ NASICON type with monoclinic structure. The crystalline sizes were found to be in the range of 32–56 nm. SEM morphologies exhibited non-uniform grains and changed with variation of HT time. The electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites was investigated by using galvanostatic charge/discharge methods, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte. The glass-ceramic nanocomposites annealed for 4 h, which had a lower crystalline size, exhibited the best electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of 116.4 F g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1. Small crystalline size supported the lithium ion mobility in the electrode by decreasing the ion diffusion pathway. Therefore, the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites can be promising candidates for large-scale industrial applications in high-performance energy storage devices.     

Multistep sintering preparation and electrochemical performances of LiFe0.7 V0.2PO4/C cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Cathode material LiFe_0.7?V_0.2PO₄/C is successfully synthesized by multistep sintering through carbon thermal reaction including 650 °C for 10 h and 750 °C for 6 h. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the synthesized materials are characterized by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Cycle voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge–discharge test are used to investigate the electrochemical performances of these samples. The results revealed that the synthesized LiFe_0.7?V_0.2PO₄/C material simultaneously contains olivine structure LiFePO₄ and monoclinic structure Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. It shows improved conductivity, Li-ion diffusion coefficient, excellent charge/discharge performance, and reversibility due to both the incorporation of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ fast ion conductor and the employed multistep sintering. The initial discharge specific capacities of LiFe_0.7?V_0.2PO₄/C by multistep sintering are 167.8, 154.7, and 140.8 mAh g^?1 at 0.5, 1, and 2 C, respectively. After a total of 230 cycles at different rates, the sample still shows good performances. After 100 cycles at 2 C, the capacity retention is 99.1 %, and the capacity is 139.6 mAh g^?1. The LiFe_0.7?V_0.2PO₄/C material synthesized by this method can be used as a cathode material for advanced lithium-ion batteries.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrochemical biosensing of glucose oxidase based on CdSe@CdS quantum dots and MWNT-modified electrode

The direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOx) was achieved based on the immobilization of CdSe@CdS quantum dots on glassy carbon electrode by multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)-chitosan (Chit) film. The immobilized GOx displayed a pair of well-defined and reversible redox peaks with a formal potential (E ^θ’) of ?0.459 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in 0.1 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. The apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k _s) of GOx confined in MWNTs-Chit/CdSe@CdS membrane were evaluated as 1.56 s^?1 according to Laviron's equation. The surface concentration (Γ*) of the electroactive GOx in the MWNTs-Chit film was estimated to be (6.52?±?0.01)?×?10^?11?mol?cm^?2. Meanwhile, the catalytic ability of GOx toward the oxidation of glucose was studied. Its apparent Michaelis–Menten constant for glucose was 0.46?±?0.01 mM, showing a good affinity. The linear range for glucose determination was from 1.6?×?10^?4 to 5.6?×?10^?3?M with a relatively high sensitivity of 31.13?±?0.02 μA?mM^?1?cm^?2 and a detection limit of 2.5?×?10^?5?M (S/N=3).     

Photocurrent kinetics during electron emission from metal into electrolyte solution: Part III. H3O+ solutions

The photocurrent kinetics in acid solutions have been investigated. The diffusion coefficients of atoms H?((7±2)×10^?5cm²s^?1) and D?((4±1)×10^?5cm²s^?1) and OH^? and OD^? radicals ((1±0.3)×10^?5cm²s^?1) are found. The rate constants of capture of solvated electrons by H₃O⁺ and D₃O⁺ ions are identical and equal to (8±1)×10⁹M^?1s^?1. From the shape of the kinetic curves it follows that electrochemical desorption of atomic hydrogen occurs from the adsorbed state. The rate constant of this process has been measured. It is shown that the rate constant of electrochemical desorption depends only slightly on the potential.     

Improving the rate and low-temperature performance of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> by tailoring the form of carbon coating from amorphous to graphene-like

A solid-state reaction process with poly(vinyl alcohol) as the carbon source is developed to synthesize LiFePO₄-based active powders with or without modification assistance of a small amount of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The samples are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that, in addition to the minor effect of a lattice doping in LiFePO₄ by substituting a tiny fraction of Fe²⁺ ions with V³⁺ ions, the change in the form of carbon coating on the surface of LiFePO₄ plays a more important role to improve the electrochemical properties. The carbon changes partially from sp³ to sp² hybridization and thus causes the significant rise in electronic conductivity in the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃-modified LiFePO₄ samples. Compared with the carbon-coated baseline LiFePO₄, the composite material 0.9LiFePO₄·0.1Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ shows totally different carbon morphology and much better electrochemical properties. It delivers specific capacities of 143.6 mAh g^?1 at 10 C rate and 119.2 mAh g^?1 at 20 C rate, respectively. Even at the low temperature of ?20 °C, it delivers a specific capacity of 118.4 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 C.     

Synthesis,structure, and thermal expansion of sodium zirconium arsenate phosphates

Sodium zirconium arsenate phosphates NaZr₂(AsO₄) _x (PO₄)_3?x were synthesized by precipitation technique and studied by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. In the series of NaZr₂(AsO₄) _x (PO₄)_3?x , continuous substitution solid solutions are formed (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) with the mineral kosnarite structure. The crystal structure of NaZr₂(AsO₄)_1.5(PO₄)_1.5 was refined by full-profile analysis: space group R \(\bar 3\) c, a = 8.9600(4)Å, c = 22.9770(9) Å, V = 1597.5(1) ų, R _wp = 4.55. The thermal expansion of the arsenate-phosphate NaZr₂(AsO₄)_1.5(PO₄)_1.5 and the arsenate NaZr₂(AsO₄)₃ was studied by thermal X-ray diffraction in the temperature range of 20–800°C. The average linear thermal expansion coefficients (α_av = 2.45 × 10^?6 and 3.91 × 10^?6 K^?1, respectively) indicate that these salts are medium expansion compounds.     

Electrochemical reduction of ytterbium in perchloric media

The electrochemical behavior of Yb³⁺ in perchloric media was studied by cyclic voltammetry and current reversal chronopotentiometry at several temperatures. The results show that the reversible electrochemical reduction of Yb³⁺ is followed by homogeneous reactions. The experimentally determined diffusion coefficients of ytterbic ion are 0.41×10^?5, 0.48×10^?5 and 0.53×10^?5 cm² s^?1 at 4.2, 9.2 and 14.7°C, respectively, in 0.5 M NaClO₄ solutions. From these data a value of 16 kJ mol^?1 (3830 cal mol^?1) was obtained for the activation energy for diffusion of ytterbic ion. From the activation energy the diffusion coefficient of ytterbic ion at 25.0°C was estimated. The value of 0.67×10^?5 cm² s^?1 was obtained. In all the experiments the initial pH was maintained at 4.1.     

Natural graphite enhanced the electrochemical performance of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Natural graphite treated by mechanical activation can be directly applied to the preparation of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ with monoclinic structure was successfully synthesized by using natural graphite as carbon source and reducing agent. The amount of activated graphite is optimized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectrum, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Our results show that Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP)-10G exhibits the highest initial discharge capacity of 189 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C and 162.9 mAh g^?1 at 1 C in the voltage range of 3.0–4.8 V. Therefore, natural graphite is a promising carbon source for LVP cathode material in lithium ion batteries.     

Enhanced chromatographic separation of cobalt and uranyl ions using tin (IV) antimonate column from aqueous solution

The effect of electric field on tin (IV) antimonate column bed to separate cobalt and uranium was investigated. Separation was carried out from nitrate solution and ionic strength of 0.6. Variation of applied potential, time and pH were investigated. Ion mobilities at pH 1 are calculated and given to be 5.5 × 10^?4 and 2.73 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 for cobalt and uranyl ion respectively. Number of theoretical plate heights were calculated from the breakthrough curve and given to be 354 and 210 for cobalt and uranyl ions, respectively. Diffusion coefficient were calculated according to Nernst equation and found to be of 7.6 × 10^?6 and 3.5 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1 for cobalt and uranyl ions, respectively. Also, breakthrough capacities were calculated and found to be 0.7 mmol g^?1 for cobalt ion and 0.4 mmol g^?1 for uranyl ion, respectively.     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of chlorine atoms with CH2F2, CH3CCl3, and CF3CFH2 over the temperature range 253–553 K

Relative rate techniques were used to study the title reactions in 930–1200 mbar of N₂ diluent. The reaction rate coefficients measured in the present work are summarized by the expressions k(Cl + CH₂F₂) = 1.19 × 10^?17 T² exp(?1023/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–553 K), k(Cl + CH₃CCl₃) = 2.41 × 10^?12 exp(?1630/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–313 K), and k(Cl + CF₃CFH₂) = 1.27 × 10^?12 exp(?2019/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–313 K). Results are discussed with respect to the literature data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 401–406, 2009     

Studies of xLiFePO4·yLi3V2(PO4)3/C composite cathode materials with high tap density and high performance prepared by sol spray drying method

The xLiFePO₄·yLi₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode materials are synthesized by a sol spray drying method. X-ray diffraction results reveal that the xLiFePO₄·yLi₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (x,y?≠?0) composites are composed of LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ phases, and no impurities are detected. The samples show spherical particles with the size of 0.5–5 μm, and the tap densities of all the samples are higher than 1.5 g cm^?3. Electrochemical tests show that the xLiFePO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (x,y?≠?0) composites exhibit much better performance than the single LiFePO₄/C or Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. Among all the samples, 3LiFePO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C possesses the best comprehensive performance in terms of the discharge capacity, average working voltage, and rate capability. At 1, 5, and 10 C rates, the sample shows first discharge capacities of 152.0, 134.3, and 116.8 mAh g^?1 and capacity retentions of 99.2, 98.2, and 97.7 % after 100 cycles, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performance of micron-sized xLiFePO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (x,y?≠?0) powders is owing to the homogeneous mixing of reactants at a molecular level by sol spray drying, the incorporation of fast ion conductor Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃, and the mutual doping in LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃.     

Nanosecond laser measurements of optical absorption coefficients of electrons in polar fluids

Direct measurements of the optical absorption coefficients of the short-lived electrons in polar fluids have been made. Laser-induced photoionization of pyrene in alcohols at 293 K generated equal numbers of electrons (e_s^?) and pyrene positive ions (P⁺). The ?_max(e_s^?) were derived by measuring the relative absorption intensities of e_s^? and P⁺, which had been independently characterised. The ?_max values for e_s^? in methanol to 1-decanol fell within the range (1.0–2.0) × 10⁴ M^?1 cm^?1, the implications of which are discussed.     

The electrochemical performance of sodium-ion-modified spinel LiMn2O4 used for lithium-ion batteries

The spinel LiMn₂O₄ cathode material has been considered as one of the most potential cathode active materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The sodium-doped LiMn₂O₄ is synthesized by solid-state reaction. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Li_1?x Na _x Mn₂O₄ (0?≤?x?≤?0.01) exhibits a single phase with cubic spinel structure. The particles of the doped samples exhibit better crystallinity and uniform distribution. The diffusion coefficient of the Li_0.99Na_0.01Mn₂O₄ sample is 2.45?×?10^?10 cm^?2 s^?1 and 3.74?×?10^?10 cm^?2 s^?1, which is much higher than that of the undoped spinel LiMn₂O₄ sample, indicating the Na⁺-ion doping is favorable to lithium ion migration in the spinel structure. The galvanostatic charge–discharge results show that the Na⁺-ion doping could improve cycling performance and rate capability, which is mainly due to the higher ion diffusion coefficient and more stable spinel structure.     

Ascorbic Acid‐Assisted Synthesis of Mesoporous Sodium Vanadium Phosphate Nanoparticles with Highly sp2‐Coordinated Carbon Coatings as Efficient Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Herein, mesoporous sodium vanadium phosphate nanoparticles with highly sp²‐coordinated carbon coatings (meso‐Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C) were successfully synthesized as efficient cathode material for rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries by using ascorbic acid as both the reductant and carbon source, followed by calcination at 750 °C in an argon atmosphere. Their crystalline structure, morphology, surface area, chemical composition, carbon nature and amount were systematically explored. Following electrochemical measurements, the resultant meso‐Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C not only delivered good reversible capacity (98 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1) and superior rate capability (63 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1) but also exhibited comparable cycling performance (capacity retention: ≈74 % at 450 cycles at 0.4 A g^?1). Moreover, the symmetrical sodium‐ion full cell with excellent reversibility and cycling stability was also achieved (capacity retention: 92.2 % at 0.1 A g^?1 with 99.5 % coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles). These attributes are ascribed to the distinctive mesostructure for facile sodium‐ion insertion/extraction and their continuous sp²‐coordinated carbon coatings, which facilitate electronic conduction.